Introducing biomass multi-dust

The importance of environmental protection and sustainability is growing in Czech industry, even in companies that have been accustomed to only working with non-renewable sources of energy. Czech Mill, originally a coal mill, is well aware of this. Now, the company is adding biomass fuel to its portfolio. "Put simply, coal will run out one day. Replacing these environmentally harmful variants is the kind of added value that customers are predominantly calling for,” explains Václav Szmek, Production Director.

Czech Mill has been working on the new product for several months. As Szmek describes, it is a mixture of black-coal multi-dust, which the company has been making since 2009, and 20% biomass. “In the lab, we started with almond husks and other nut husks. We even tried coffee grounds. In February 2023, we switched to sunflower husk pellets. June 2023 was the first time we industrially processed the biomass into the final product that we sell under the name Biofuel. Sunflower husks – or pellets made from sunflower husk multi-dust – are probably the most sought-after biomass in the lime industry, which makes up the majority of our customers. We are also experimenting with straw pellets,” he says. “Normally, all these secondary raw materials would be landfilled when they could have been meaningfully processed. Our technology gives them a second life.”

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the new product? The biggest advantage is sustainability and renewability. It allows Czech Mill to move away from increasingly depleting fossil fuel reserves. Václav Szmek says that another key advantage is that burning biological components is not subject to emission allowances. However, at the same time, he also admits that multi-dust has its disadvantages, such as a lower thermal value and worse bulk properties. “The biological component is light which makes it difficult to mill. The particles are simply not as fine as milled coal. When you move fuel from a silo through pneumatic tubes or a turnstile, it’s harder to dump, which means it takes longer to load it on trucks,” he explains.

However, he says the initial response is positive. “In addition to saving emission allowances, our first customer appreciates the way the new fuel behaves in the furnace and the way it combusts. They didn’t mind about the lower thermal value,” he says. This means several other companies might start using Biofuel in the coming months. “We haven’t been able to have much success with black coal in some lime kilns. This new product will probably allow us to start working with them,” Szmek adds.

Compared to lignite, Biofuel is 50% renewable and sustainable

Improving this new product is the main priority for Czech Mill in the coming months. The process is split into several areas. As Szmek keeps emphasizing, it’s essential to gradually increase the percentage of biomass. "We started with 10% of the biological component added to coal, then we progressed to 20%, and in the next few months we would like to move to 30% or more,” he says. However, even this goal has its limits, he admits. “A year ago, we thought we could go north of 50%, but the technological limits in our plant in Dětmarovice have shown that 50% is the ceiling. Going any higher would require additional investment. For now, the future is uncertain,” he adds. The 50% mixture is very similar in character to lignite, which has been a long-term rival product for Czech Mill, but Biofuel would be 50% renewable and sustainable by comparison.

Szmek says another thought is to expand the portfolio of biological components and their storage conditions: “Biomass is particularly sensitive to storage conditions, so it’s important for us to find and provide suitable, preferably roofed premises, so that we can safely store it year-round.” The Czech Mill Production Director concludes his thoughts on the outlook for the future with the conviction that if everything goes according to plan, within half a year or a year, even customers who have so far only purchased products from black coal will switch to the new product.

Czech Mill – Czech multi-dust manufacturer

The industrial mill processes fuels, biofuels, and cement/ concrete fillers in the form of microfine dust – multi-dust. The company was established back in 2006. At that time, it was built as a coal mill under the original name ‘Coal Mill’. In 2022, it was renamed ‘Czech Mill’ and expanded its portfolio with the addition of other multi-dusts used as cement/ concrete additives and biofuels.

Biofuel – green biomass fuel

Biofuel is a highly refined, fine-grain fuel with a large active surface area. It is characterized by excellent flammability, reactivity and first-class combustion properties. It can also creep efficiently and it can be fluidized, making it easier to use as a liquid or gaseous fuel. Multi-dust is a modern energy source for boiler and process combustion plants. Compared to coal multi-dust, biomass has better ignition, but in terms of energy, it has almost half its thermal value. Its indisputable advantage is renewability and status as a ‘green fuel’.